Thomas Simmen

Thomas Simmen is a Professor in the Department of Cell Biology within the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta. His research focuses on membrane contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, particularly their role in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and multiple sclerosis.

His research interests center on understanding how ER-mitochondria communication regulates cellular metabolism, calcium signaling, oxidative stress, and cell survival. He investigates how disruptions in these contact sites contribute to disease pathogenesis, especially in conditions involving metabolic imbalance and premature cell death. His work integrates molecular cell biology, organelle dynamics, and disease modeling.

The recent publications highlight a strong focus on ER-mitochondria tethering proteins (e.g., MERCs), stress response pathways (PERK, calnexin), redox signaling at MAMs, and the role of Rab GTPases in organelle quality control. Collectively, the research reveals conserved mechanisms linking organelle communication to neurodegeneration, cancer metabolism, and inflammatory diseases.

Scientific Awards:

• No specific awards mentioned in the text.

Dr. Simmen actively mentors graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate researchers, as evidenced by ongoing recruitment for research positions. His laboratory includes a research associate (Tadashi Makio) and a technician (Megan Yap), indicating active grant-funded research. While specific grants are not listed, the sustained publication output suggests significant external funding support.

Dr. Simmen leads an active research laboratory located in the Medical Sciences Building at the University of Alberta, focusing on ER-mitochondria contact sites. His team investigates molecular mechanisms underlying cellular stress responses and metabolic dysregulation in disease, utilizing biochemical, imaging, and cell biological approaches.